Beer ChickenKona Longboard Lager Beer Brined chicken

Beer Chicken, one of my first recipes going back to college. I thought it was a good idea at the time. These days there are micro-breweries and artisal beers popping up everywhere, it is truly a beer revolution. With that comes grilled food recipes that pair with these great beers. Here is a great beer chicken recipe. When in Hawaii we use Kona Brewing’s Longboard lager which was one of our favorites in Hawaii. Here on the central coast and Paso Robles I am now using Firestone Walker's 805 when I cannot find the Longboard, it too works great!

One of the great things about this simple and easy recipe is that all you need is this brine, nothing else to add to it and you have truly delicious moist chicken straight from the grill. Excellent for a day when you are going to be out running around and busy. Come back home and grill up your Beer Chicken. Another benefit is, you have the rest of the beer to enjoy with your meal. Enjoy!

Beer Brine for Chicken

2 cups water

2 cups beer- Kona Brewing Longboard Lager or your favorite brew

¼ cup coarse salt

4 tablespoons (packed) dark brown sugar

2 tablespoons honey

7 large garlic cloves, minced

1 ½ tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper

2 teaspoons ground cumin

Combine all ingredients and whisk well. All time of the salt, honey and sugar to melt, stir again. Enough brine for two small chickens or one larger. Place chicken in large zip lock bag or non-aluminum container, add brine. Place in refrigerator. Brine chicken for four hours and up to 8 hours.

Remove the chicken from the brine and coat lightly with olive oil. For color you may want to sprinkle the bird with paprika or even a light spice rub for color.

Preheat your grill or nice hot coals covered lightly with gray ash, Put some nice grill marks on the chicken then move to the side for indirect heat to cook through.

If necessary place back on the hot spot to get a nice golden brown. After cooking let sit for a few minutes to let the juice stabilize a bit.